UA’s WVUA-TV Announces End of ‘First at Four’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama-owned television station WVUA-TV has announced it will end its “First at Four” program Sept. 23.

The program, which was on the air for nearly six years, highlighted people, businesses and events in the Tuscaloosa community. Host Danny Salter will now take the same concepts into WVUA’s nightly news program, with segments produced in the community, rather than in a studio, and reaching a larger audience.

“First at Four has been a big part of my life,” Salter said. “It’s like saying goodbye to an old friend. But, I’m excited about what the future holds for WVUA-TV.”

Salter and other WVUA staff members also will continue developing new programming, including a potential new daily morning talk show. The changes are happening ahead of WVUA’s move into UA’s new Digital Media Center, anticipated for early 2014.

“Our new Digital Media Center is going to give us many new options for new programming,” said Elizabeth Brock, director of WVUA and the Center for Public Television and Radio. “We’re looking forward to serving audiences and students with some new ideas – and Danny Salter is a key player in this.”

WVUA is currently housed in the College of Communication and Information Sciences in Reese Phifer Hall. While still under the C&IS umbrella, it will move into the north end zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium, where the Digital Media Center will offer new, state-of-the-art technology and one of the largest media teaching facilities in the nation.